Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 10: A proud and historic moment awaits India as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) gears up to take flight as part of the prestigious Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). With the launch now scheduled for June 11, the Indian space narrative is all set to turn a new page.
The IAF, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), extended its best wishes to the decorated officer, stating, “As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey.”
The much-anticipated mission, delayed by a day due to adverse weather conditions, is set to be launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre’s Launch Complex-39A aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX completed a successful static fire test early Sunday, with teams closely monitoring weather updates along the ascent corridor.
The Ax-4 crew includes an international lineup: veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson (USA), Polish engineer Slawosz Uznanski, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu, and India’s own Group Captain Shukla. According to Axiom Space, the team has successfully completed a full-scale launch day rehearsal.
Adding further significance to the mission is the presence of ISRO’s top brass in the United States. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, along with a delegation from the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) — including Gaganyaan flight surgeons — is on ground to witness the historic launch. Sources from both ISRO and Axiom Space confirmed that the delay was purely weather-related, expressing optimism about the June 11 liftoff.
The mission marks a proud moment for India’s space journey, underlining the growing collaboration between Indian and international space agencies and the nation's expanding role in global space exploration.